Olympian High wins fourth Academic Decathlon

For the fourth year in a row, Olympian High School won the county’s annual Academic Decathlon competition. The Chula Vista school was recently crowned the 2013 champion at an awards ceremony held in the Shiley Theatre at the University of San Diego.

Overall, schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District dominated the competition, garnering eight of the top 10 spots. Hilltop High came in second place, Sweetwater High in third, San Ysidro High in fifth, Southwest High in sixth, Bonita Vista High in seventh, Castle Park High in eighth, and Eastlake High in ninth.

More than 120 students from 15 high schools in San Diego County participated in the Feb. 2 competition, which was held at Olympian High. Olympian will go on to represent the county in the California Academic Decathlon Championship March 14-17 in Sacramento.

“I’m so proud of my kids,” said Ken Boulton, Olympian High’s decathlon coach, who also won five consecutive county championships in the decathlon from 2003 to 2007 when he coached at Southwest High School. “It is such a great experience for my students to be able to participate at the state level.

“I wish everyone could see the intensity and excitement of all the teams from around the state,” he added.

Created in Orange County in 1968, the decathlon is a competitive event modeled after the Olympics to stimulate academic achievement and honor “athletes of mind.” The competition lets students join in an educational forum that fosters respect for knowledge, cooperation and self-esteem.

The Academic Decathlon is San Diego County’s longest-running academic competition. Team and individual awards are given in 10 events: seven written tests in music, art, language and literature, mathematics, economics and science; a Super Quiz in social science; and three communications tests — an interview, an essay, and prepared and impromptu speeches.